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With the team's season wrapping up after Sunday's home finale against the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints players with expiring contracts began discussing their futures Wednesday, just one more harsh truth for a team that's been playing football in January for the past three seasons.

Left tackle Jermon Bushrod likely will be the team's top unrestricted free agent priority as he's been more than capable of protecting Brees' blind spot as he earned a Pro Bowl bid in 2011. Bushrod signed a two-year deal in 2010 maxing out around $9 million total.

Bushrod didn't say he deserved a top-tier left tackle contract simply adding that he'll take whatever teams feel like he deserves. Bushrod, 28, also said he understands he's in the prime of his career.

Defensive end Sedrick Ellis, 27, is the most noteworthy unrestricted free agent on defense. The 2008 first-round pick by the Saints has 34 total tackles this season and has compiled ½ sack the last two seasons.

Ultimately, Ellis said both parties will come to a decision for what's best for each other.

Jermon Bushrod, Sedrick Ellis headline group of New Orleans Saints free agents | NOLA.com

"A Veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life."